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Dealing with wedding coordinater :/

post #1 of 18
7/9/12 at 11:58am
Thread Starter 
Hi! I'm dealing with a wedding coordinator who happens to be sister of the bride... she's nice but is telling me all the little details of what she thinks I should do (i.e. chocolate cake should go into certain wrappers, and yellow cake in the other cupcake wrappers) when in my professional opinion I think I should be the one deciding what happens (using both foil and white wrappers for both flavors of cake would look spectacular in my opinion... but who am I... i'm JUST the 'cake lady' as THEY say... smh) ... I'll be the one in the kitchen baking and seeing the product come together and seeing MY design come together - not her! Should I follow her advice, or should I stick to my gut and just do what I do? HELP!!!
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post #2 of 18
7/9/12 at 12:09pm
I think you should consult with the bride.
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post #3 of 18
7/9/12 at 12:11pm
You do whatever the bride tells you to do. I'd check with the bride to see how much power and say the bride has given the planner.
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post #4 of 18
7/9/12 at 12:27pm
You give them your professional opinion and advice and then you do what they decide they want to do.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.
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post #5 of 18
7/9/12 at 12:46pm
Yep. If this is a paid order, you are doing it to their specifications. I often suggest that different flavored cupcakes be differentiated in some way and liners are an easy way to do that. Maybe she is being so specific because they are going to have it printed somewhere blue wrappers are... etc. Don't take it personally.
www.superstarpastrydesign.com
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www.superstarpastrydesign.com
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post #6 of 18
7/9/12 at 12:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all for you advice!! The only problem I have had is this coordinator keeps trying to talk me down on my price (over and over) and she has told me that if it were up to her sister (the bride) there wouldn't even be a wedding.. but I think I will do as you say, and just go ahead and do it to her specifications icon_smile.gif Thank you!
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post #7 of 18
7/9/12 at 1:01pm
OK you can stop the nastiness coming at you right now.

Tell the coordinator that your prices are set by factors including minimum wage laws. If she drops the order then thank your lucky stars.
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post #8 of 18
7/9/12 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SSCakery541

Thank you all for you advice!! The only problem I have had is this coordinator keeps trying to talk me down on my price (over and over) and she has told me that if it were up to her sister (the bride) there wouldn't even be a wedding..



Hello! Big red flag here! Don't know how many you are doing, but you'd better get your money at least a week before you turn on your oven!
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.
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post #9 of 18
7/9/12 at 1:36pm
Do not let anyone make you lower your price. All you have to tell her is that your price for the order is firm.

Do NOT accept payment on delivery. Tell her payment is due 2 weeks before delivery. If they pay by check, take it to their bank to make sure it clears so you are not left high and dry as the saying goes.

Not clear about your post....is it possible the bride might or could call off the wedding?

I'm not getting a good feeling about this one.

Good luck!
Linda
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Linda
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post #10 of 18
7/9/12 at 1:59pm
All the advice above is right on.
Do you have a signed contract to cover yourself if they say something different later? The bride or whoever is ordering/paying for the cake needs to sign it. Make sure everything is written out. Flavers, colors, design, sizes, when deposit will be put down and when final payment is due.
From what you posted, it sounds like this could be a major problem down the road.
Also, as the others said do not let them talk you down on the price. Trust me the venue and other vendors involved have their prices set. I can't go into a restaurant and tell them I want my dinner cheaper!
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post #11 of 18
7/9/12 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
I guess I should have been a little clearer on the bride - the bride wants to get married - she just isn't so stuck on the big wedding thing... and I just got ANOTHER email about the brides sister changing flavors AGAIN!!! UGH!!! Yeah, after the 2nd time of her changing flavors I was set on NOT changing my price!!! Luckily, her mom is a sweetheart and has not problem flipping the bill, but, sheesh, this is getting RIDICULOUS!!! I DID tell her however that payment is due 3 weeks prior to wedding and changes cannot be made at that point (since product will have been purchased at that point). So, if anyone else out there is having problems with this - I HOPE you are learning from MY mistakes!!! icon_biggrin.gif lol
Thank you all for your input!!!
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post #12 of 18
7/9/12 at 6:33pm
Look if the bride or her mother are paying for the wedding cake, then you can refuse to listen to the "coordinator" who is some piece of work...There is an old rule in business "the man who pays the piper calls the tune".

If the order to change flavour does NOT come directly from the bride, then you have the right to say "you XX YY do not personally have a cake contract with me and therefore I will not answer further emails or phone calls". And cc the bride.

I personally would give the bride one chance to get her own ideas down on a contract, if you feel like it.

I would seriously be prepared to refuse the order. You are not being paid enough to be exposed to this kind of harassment.

And don't be surprised when the bride and groom elope.
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post #13 of 18
7/11/12 at 6:54pm
i agree that you should accommodate the desires of your customer, however, i do give my opinion on what works and what doesn't and for me there are some things i won't do.

i won't cover a cake in fondant (that's not the kind of cakes i make)
i won't make a cake in black or red, because it tastes bad and your guests will look like ghouls.
i won't drive a tiered cheesecake into Arizona--that one i learned the hard way. icon_biggrin.gif

i think there's a balance to be struck between artistry and business. the customer is paying, but she is also relying on your expertise. so a tactful artist will convince the customer to follow her advice, no?
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post #14 of 18
7/11/12 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
True... I suppose I was getting a bit grumpy after the several emails and phonecalls ... I guess I was just starting to think maybe she should just quit telling me how to do my job... but, after all, her mom IS the one who paid... and I am doing things to Her specs, so... It'll be beautiful cause that's all I am willing to do icon_smile.gif
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post #15 of 18
7/11/12 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SSCakery541

True... I suppose I was getting a bit grumpy after the several emails and phonecalls ... I guess I was just starting to think maybe she should just quit telling me how to do my job... but, after all, her mom IS the one who paid... and I am doing things to Her specs, so... It'll be beautiful cause that's all I am willing to do icon_smile.gif



everyone is guilty of the grumps. sometimes you just wish people would trust you to get on with your work. i get it. my own sister has a list a mile long every time i make a cake for her. it's frustrating and annoying.
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